The Rams have moved above Millwall into sixth spot with two matches of the regular campaign remaining.

Meanwhile, Cardiff remain in the second automatic promotion spot but are only a point ahead of Fulham.

Rowett made two changes from the side that started the 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Derby's two leading scorers this season, Vydra and David Nugent, were both dropped from the starting line-up.

They were replaced by Andreas Weimann and Jerome.

Rowett stuck with the 3-4-2-1 formation that he used for the first time against Boro, with a back three of Richard Keogh, Curtis Davies and Craig Forsyth, and Andre Wisdom and Marcus Olsson operating as wing-backs.

Ikechi Anya (calf) and Sam Winnall (knee) both remained sidelined by injury.

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock made four changes following the 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest.

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From one of those, delivered by Tom Lawrence, Bradley Johnson's first-time effort was deflected narrowly wide of the near post.

In the 12th minute, Lawrence whipped in a dangerous free kick from the left, which keeper Neil Etheridge managed to collect at the second attempt.

Etheridge was called into action again five minutes later to deny the Rams an opening goal.

Weimann robbed Bamba and surged forward down the right before squaring for Lawrence, who touch a touch before seeing his low shot well blocked by the advancing keeper.

Cardiff felt they should have had a penalty after 20 minutes, when Ward's speculative effort was deflected behind off Johnson. However, appeals for handball against the Derby midfielder were waved away by referee Andrew Madley.

Junior Hoilett blazed over from the edge of the box after a long clearance by Etheridge dropped kindly for him.

Derby will have been satisfied by the start they had made - but they fell behind in the 28th minute.

A long ball into the box from the left went over the heads of Madine, Davies and Forsyth, and Paterson drilled a right-foot volley inside Carson's near post from an angle.

Callum Paterson of Cardiff City celebrates after scoring his sides first goal against Derby County with team mate Gary Madine (Image: 2018 Getty Images)

It might have got worse for the Rams five minutes later. Hoilett headed Ward's cross from the left back across goal and Madine could not quite get there to apply the finish.

The striker felt he was being fouled as he went for the ball but, again, the penalty appeals fell upon deaf ears.

Derby needed a response, and they could have levelled in the 37th minute.

Lawrence chipped the ball in from the left and Jerome flicked on, but Weimann missed the target from 10 yards out.

Forsyth saw a shot blocked, while Etheridge was out quickly to save at the feet of Weimann.

At the other end, Ward fired over from 20 yards and Joe Ralls did likewise with the final action of the half.

Derby continued to search for an equaliser after the break, while Cardiff resolutely defended their lead.

Lawrence had a chance to test the keeper with a free kick just outside the area but could not beat the wall.

Rowett introduced Vydra on the hour, taking off Marcus Olsson and moving Weimann to left wing-back.

Cardiff might have doubled their lead in the 64th minute but Madine scuffed his shot as he met Ralls' low centre from the left.

Davies looped a header over the bar from Forsyth's floated ball into the box - but the Rams were level on 69 minutes.

The visitors did not fully clear their lines from a corner and when Keogh headed down into the box, Jerome held off a couple of defenders before slipping a shot past Etheridge from eight yards.

Cardiff responded, with Bamba and substitute Zohore shooting over from decent positions.